Shabbat Greetings

Rabbi Malinger is currently on sabbatical until Monday, August 18, 2025. Even though he is taking the time to restore his spiritual wellness and taking a course to strengthen professional skills, he wanted to share different perspectives of the weekly Torah portion from his fellow rabbinic colleagues in the Reform Movement – please enjoy.

Rabbi Charles Middleburgh of Leo Baeck College of London, England, shares: The daughters of Zelophechad nearly always steal the show in this week’s portion, Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1). This is understandable given the few instances in Torah where the patriarchy shrinks and allows the matriarchy a portion of the stage. Yet it’s a slightly later part of Pinchas that annually moves me.

Moses is told to single out Joshua ben Nun from among the Israelites and give him s’michah (ordination) and the charge to lead the Israelites into Canaan. This always recalls to me my own s’michah and the beloved teacher who gave me the precious gift of his trust. 27:18 identifies the quality that makes Joshua worthy: translated as “an inspired person” by JPS (2023), although I prefer “a person with spirit.” It cannot be coincidental that this description follows upon Moses calling God , “Source of the breath of all flesh” in 27:16 (JPS, 2006). 

This particular invocation of God is found only once elsewhere, in Numbers 16:22, when Moses calls on God to adjudicate between Aaron and Korach at the time of the Korachite rebellion. This could suggest that the ruach (spirit) that distinguishes Joshua is potentially to be found within each of us and that it is precisely this ruach that connects us to the Divine and may single us out, if only we act in a manner that makes us worthy of being chosen.

The idea that ruach (spirit) distinguishes Joshua, and that this same spirit can potentially be found within each of us, is a deeply empowering notion. It speaks to the idea that divine inspiration and worthiness aren’t reserved for a select few, but rather, they are available to anyone willing to live with integirty, purpose, and humility.

Joshua’s “ruach” isn’t just about charisma or leadership; it’s about a profound connection to the Divine through his actions, choices, and character. The same ruach can be a guiding force within each of us, if we choose to cultivate it.

SHABBAT SHALOM